STEPS ALONG

THE PATH
ANNUAL REPORT 2013
The Abraham Path has changed the way
that local people feel about tourism and
feel about themselves. They never thought
that one day people from all over the
world would be knocking on their doors
and sharing their food. Its great to be a
part of this.

mer, Yuvacali
About Us 4
Report From Our Chair 6
Financial Facts & Figures 8
Institutional Funding 2013 9
Institutional Seed Funding 9
Thank You to our Donors 10,11
Board of Directors 12
International Partners 12
Local Partners 13
Abraham Path Online Guidebook Launch 14
In the Press 15
Host Spotlight 17
Guide Training 18
Trail Expansion in the Negev 19
Abraham Path Around the World 20
Women Inspired to Run for the Abraham Path 20
Caminho da Paz Race in Brazil 21
Travelers on the Path 22
The Path Ahead in 2014 24
Map of the Abraham Path 25
Growing the Path with our Partners in 2014 26
Join the Abraham Path Initiative in 2014 27
Contents
Photo Credits: David Landis, David Santos Jr., Izzet Aran, Joanne Jones and Laura
Kardasinski, Joey Marotta, Judith Ansara and Robert Gass, Julian Bender, Konstantin
Hoshana, Max Farrar, Omer Tanik, and Sumaya Agha
4
The Abraham Path is a long-distance walking trail across the Middle East.
The path retraces the journey of Abraham, the legendary ancestor of over
half of humanit y, who is known for his hospitalit y and kindness toward
strangers. The Abraham Path Initiative is an international organization
cultivating the development of the path along with local and international
partner organizations. The initiative is a non-profit, non-religious and
non-political organization. The mission of the Abraham Path Initiative is
to support local partners in developing the Abraham Path as:

a catalyst for socioeconomic development and sustainable tourism.

a place of meeting and connection between people from the Middle

East and people around the world.

a creative space for stories that highlight the unique culture,

heritage and hospitality of the region.
Vision: The purpose of the Abraham Path is to inspire understanding,
prosperity, and hope for humanity. Byinviting us to participate in a grand
adventure:to walktogether in the cradle of civilization,to meetpeople
from very different cultures and traditions, to learnsomething new about
ourselves, others, and the world, andto servethe larger community.
About Us
6
This year, thanks to generous supporters like you and thanks to our dedicated
partners in the Middle East and around the world, the Abraham Path is truly
coming alive! You have helped our team publish maps and information on over
437 km of trail, train 20 local guides, engage 53 communities, and inspire
thousands of local and international travelers to come experience the other
face of the Middle East with its beauty and kind-hearted hospitality!

A trail becomes more real when there is a guidebook. Im delighted to report
that, in 2013, we achieved a long-held dream by creating a virtual guidebook
of the Abraham Path. If you havent had a chance to see it, I encourage you to
visit www.abrahampath.org.

On the ground, our team and local partners have opened some beautiful and
culturally rich new walks along the path, developing detailed maps and trail
descriptions, and waymarking the trail. People have responded by joining
walking groups that headed out on the path every week during the spring
and fall seasons. This year we have truly seen the Abraham Path become a
platform for good, where we can walk together in the cradle of civilization,
meet people from very different cultures and traditions, and learn something
new about ourselves and others. With all this ne work serving as a founda-
tion, 2014 promises to be the best year ever for the path!
Thank you for joining us on this extraordinary adventure! By walking together
on the Abraham Path, I believe we can build a bet ter world with greater
understanding, prosperity, and hope for humanity. Step by step...

With gratitude,



William Ury
Chair
Abraham Path Initiative
From the Chair
7
The Abraham Path Is
53
437
Communities
Kilometers
(272 Miles)
When locals receive hikers, they are naturally generous hosts; hospitality
exists inside of us; Abraham exists inside of us.

Amira Jaber, Beit Sahour
8
Income: $554,798
2013 audited statements
Expenses: $459,861
Financial Facts & Figures
74%
15%
11%
Individuals
Institutions
In-Kind
83%
17%
Programs
Management & General
9
Institutional Seed Funding
Institutional Funding 2013
10
Anonymous
Alexandre Chade
Alex Maslanka and Merle Miller
Amanda B Taylor
Amanda Jones
Amy K. Brown
Anisa Mehdi and Peter Zimmermann
Annalea McCurry
Anthon Keuchenius
Babak Razzaghi
Barbara and Peter Thornton
Benjamin Friedman
Bob and Joan Feitler
Bruce Cohen
Catherine and Matthew Grainger
Carl and Tinbat Tinstman
Charles A. Pillsbury
Charles and Jonelle Boteler
Charles Steel
Charles Steinberg and Torkin Wakeeld
Charlie Bresnahan
Chris Jennings
Christopher Bond
Claire Goulding
Claude Shammas
Clifford Meek and Lucinda Holmes
Connery Cepeda
Danielle Ophelders
David Cohen
David Friedman and Tirzah Firestone
David and Anna Dintaman Landis
David Sulzberger
Dick Simon
Dominik Knill
Donna Childs
Elaine Teo
Eleanor Ross
Ellen Brock and Larry Kaptein
Fetzer Institute
Francie and Tim Hester
Frank, Thomas, Alison Sander
Google Advertising
Gwen Davies
Harvard Arab Alumni Association
Ian Smith and Caroline Firstbrook
Isabelle and Jean-Jacques Joris
James Carty
James Cooke
James Patrick Finerty
James Sebenius
Jamie and Anita Orlikoff
Jamil Mahuad
Janet Kardasinski
Jeff Orlowski and Exposure
Jerry Newton and David Weinberg
Jerry White
Jo Smith-Nilsson
Joanne Jones
Thank you
We gratefully acknowledge the following gifts from individuals and foundations to the
Abraham Path Initiative received between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013.
11
Joao Gentil
John Jones
John Steiner and Margo King
John Whitehead
Josh Weiss
Judith Dack
Judith Kass and the Albert E. Marks
Charitable Trust
Judy and Mickey Gaynor
Karuna Foudrait
Katherine Bradley
Kathrin Egger
Keith Fairmont
Kelsey Whiting-Jones
Kerry Kring
Laura Klemt
Laura OCallaghan
Leaf and Sharon Van Boven
Lena Demashkieh and Fahad Roumani
Lew Harvey
Lionel Sauvage
Lis Rhodes
Liz Mirante
Louise Sibley
Lynn Maroon
George Markos and the Estate of
Madeline F. Markos
Marcel and Cynda Arsenault and the
Arsenault Family Foundation
Mark Tremblay
Mark and Shirley Yolleck
Marnie Pillsbury
Mary Sari
Matthew D Brereton
Melissa Michaels and Mark Gerzon
Michael Marlowe
Morris Friedell
Murray and Sheryll Thomson
Neil and Trudie Prior
Nicholas Dunwell
Nikki Thompson
Nohad Harati
Oreg Foundation and Julie Schaffer
Pat Stocker
Paul Carpenter
Paul and De Gray
and the Gray Family Fund
Peggy Dulany
Peter Sommer
Raed Saadeh and the Jerusalem Hotel
Rick and Rebecca White
Rita Bourgeois
Robert and Judith Ansara Gass
Robert Struthers
Ronald Kertzner
Rose Community Foundation
Ross Sherbrooke
Salim Schahin
Samuel Card
Sarah Wilson
Sergio Bondi
Shahm Al Wir
Shawn Dunning
Sheila Marshall
Simon Wethered
SOLO School of Wilderness Medicine
Sonia Rai
Stefan Szepesi
Stephen Goldberg
Stephen Perry and Rebecca DiDomenico
and Compton Foundation
Sujatha Rajapakse
Susan Collin Marks
Susan Jinnett-Sack
Susan Klemt
Thomas and Debbie Lund
Thomas Modern
Tova Jacober and Ron Claman
USAID
Veronica Martini
William and Lizanne Ury
12
Board of Directors
Vernica Martini
Lionel Sauvage
Salim Schahin
James Sebenius
Deena Shakir
Louise Sibley
Joshua Weiss
Rick White
Shahm al Wir
Stefan Szepesi
William Ury (Chair)
Anisa Mehdi (Vice-Chair)
Raed Saadeh (Vice-Chair)
Alexandre Chade
Paul Gray
Jamil Mahuad
San
Francisco
Boulder
Chicago
London
Rotterdam
New York
Boston
Amman
Sao Paulo
Jerusalem
United Nations World Tourism Organization
United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
Harvard Program on Negotiation
Association pour la Formation des Ruraux aux Activits de Tourisme (AFRAT)
Tetraktys
Great Himalaya Trail
Associazione Europea delle Vie Francigene
Friendship Ambassadors Foundation
One Light Cinema
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
SOLO School of Wilderness Medicine
Leeds Metropolitan University
Sabanc University
Harvard Arab Alumni Association
Our International Partners
13
Nomad Tours Turkey
Al Ayoun Society
Experience Jordan
Masar Ibrahim al-Khalil
The Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies
Palestine Wildlife Society
Rozana
Sidreh
Bedouin Experience
Our Local Partners
14
Abraham Path Online Guidebook Launch
This year we have reached a game-changing milestone by publishing the rst-
ever Abraham Path online guidebook, which brings the path to life for millions
worldwide. abrahampath.org contains over 200 pages covering more than 437
kilometers of walking trail through stories, site descriptions, photos, videos,
travel information, and even maps & GPS data you can download directly from
the site. It is a beautiful and inspirational piece of work and it shines a light both
on what is and what can be. Now with the online guidebook, the Abraham Path is
a reality in a way that it never was before. Peoplefrom local and international
travelers to the armchair travelercan discover the history, the people, and the
landscape of this path, walk its ancient footsteps, and connect and get involved
with the initiative. We invite you all to explore!
abrahampath.org
200 437 75K+
Pages Km
Visits
15
In the Press
Media Highlights Featuring the Path in 2013
17
Host Spotlight
Pomegranate and g trees surrounding Fetheas home help her support her
family, but it is not enough. Determined to send her children to universit y,
Fethea, the head of her household, searched for a creative solution to
supplement her income and began hosting hikers and serving af ternoon
meals to walkers along the Abraham Path. With only a sixth grade education
and no job experience, Fethea created her homestay, teaching her guests the
magic of Arabic cooking with the fruit from her trees. Watching her children
play and connect with the walkers and develop friendships with their guests
is a rewarding sight for Fethea. From the income she has earned hosting
along the Abraham Path, she has been able to help her daughter, Salsibeel,
attend Yarmouk University.
18
Guide Training
Casual observers in the West Bank town of Beit Sahour may have been surprised
to see a group of locals out in the hot sun carrying each other on tarps, bandaging
fake wounds, using found materials to splint joints, and set ting up improvised
shelters. This fall the Abraham Path Initiative led a 3-day Wilderness First Aid
Training for Palestinian guides co-organized with local partners Masar Ibrahim,
Siraj Center, Rozana, and the Palestinian Wildlife Society (PWLS). This course
was the rst of its kind in the Middle East, with 16 local guides and escorts from
all over the West Bank receiving certification. The Abraham Path Initiative is
grateful to The SOLO School of Wilderness Medicine for generously sponsoring
the instructor training for instructors David Landis and Anna Dintaman. The
course was held at the PWLS, where director Imad Atrash led a session on
local wildlife. Participants practiced hands-on skills with a variety of scenarios
from treating simple cuts to evacuating patients with suspected spinal injuries.
The Palestine Red Crescent Societ y also led a CPR training in Arabic. An
additional session about outdoor leadership was included in the program, with
an emphasis on leadership styles, risk management, and decision-making skills.
We look forward to hosting many more guide trainings with communities all
along the Abraham Path in 2014!
19
Trail Expansion in the Negev
A new expanded section of the Abraham Path has been mapped out in the Ne-
gev desert! The seven-day route takes walkers from Abrahams Well in Beer-
sheva to viewpoints overlooking the Dead Sea at the ancient site of Masada.
The rugged landscape of the Negev provides a veritable playground for outdoor
adventure, with stunning canyons, refreshing oases and fascinating historical
sites. The area is home to a variety of Jewish and Muslim communities as well
as over 160,000 Bedouin, nomadic people who maintain a rich desert culture.
Apart from heritage sites, walkers will almost certainly spot shepherds tending
sheep, goats and camels. The Abraham Path Initiative worked with Trails Com-
mittee of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, the Sidreh Bedouin
womens association, and the communit y of Lakiya to mark the last portion
of the trail with painted blazes, making this 7-stage route the rst completely
waymarked section of the Abraham Path in the Negev! We have detailed
topographical maps and GPS tracks which you can download directly from our
website so you can start your journey. You can prepare for your trip by reading
up on the places youll nd along the way, accommodation options, and trans-
portation tips particular to this section of the Abraham Path. Several informal
weekend walks are planned for early 2014.
20
Abraham Paths global network continues to expand and grow. Abraham Path
Chapters are independent NGOs, charities or volunteer groups which help
promote the project. In addition to existing groups in Brazil, Spain and the UK,
new chapters formed around the world in 2013-14.
Abraham Path Around the World
Joanne Jones and Laura Kardasinski
were so inspired by their trip to the
Abraham Path in the Urfa region that
they decided to run a half marathon
in Istanbul to support the path. We
decided to pledge the proceeds to
the Abraham Path after a humbling
and deeply moving visit to one of their
projects in Eastern Turkey. The sunny
dispositions of the villagers that we
met, in the face of adversity, was truly
inspirational. Thank you to Joanne and
Laura for leading a hugely successful
fundraising campaign on behalf of the
path!
Women Inspired to Run
for the Abraham Path
London
Madrid
Naples
New
Chapters
Current
Chapters
Sydney
So Paulo
Santiago
de Chile
Toronto
Jerusalem
21
On November 24, 2013 the streets of So
Paulo, Brazil welcomed 8,000 walkers and
runners at the 5th annual Caminho da Paz
race organized by the Brazilian Abraham
Path chapter O Caminho de Abrao. Art
installations spelling out the words tica
(ethics), respeito (respect), liberdade
(liberty), paz (peace) and amizade (friend-
ship) adorned the 7km route. Supporters of
the event include Abraham Path Initiative
Board members Alex Chade and Salim Schahin, Ana Maria Diniz, Carlos Jereissati,
David Rockefeller, Luciano Huck and Jos Junior from AfroReggae, as well as the
Mayor of So Paulo, Fernando Haddad. The race in 2013 doubled in size from the
race in 2012! Congratulations to our partners in Brazil!
Caminho da Paz Race in Brazil
22
Travelers on the Path
In 2013 a record 1,150 travelers walked the Abraham Path. Since the opening
of the rst path sections in 2008, an estimated 4,800 people have traveled the
path. Walkers in 2013 were of many ages, creeds and nationalities - all coming
for their own reasons. Some came as individuals, like Boudewijin Koole from
the Netherlands who ventured out on the entire 10-day segment of the path in
Turkey. Some came with groups like Gulf for Good, Eastern Mennonite Univer-
sity, or Mediators Beyond Borders.
In Kufr Malek, on a warm Ramadan summer night, an animated conversation
took place at the home of Um Qussai, an Abraham Path homestay host. The
conversation was not in Arabic, but in Brazilian Portuguese. Surrounding
Um Quassai were seven Brazilian women, all students at Fundao Armando
Alvares Penteado University in Sao Paolo, visiting Kufr Malek with our local
partner the Siraj Center as part of a 10-day cultural exploration of the region.
To the delight of the students, Um Qussai invited her parents-in-law who spent
more than 30 years living in Brazil. Over tea and qatayef, a typical Ramadan
dessert, the group enjoyed an enriching conversation about the similarities
and differences between life in Brazil and in Kufr Malek. The students thank
Um Quassi and the Siraj Center for their life changing experience.
23
A group of 12 walkers took to the Abraham Path in the summer of 2013 on a
trip co-organized by Leeds Metropolitan University and the UK Friends of
Abrahams Path. The students, led by Leeds professor Max Farrar, UK Friends
Chair Louise Sibley and longtime Abraham Path trip leader Daniel Adamson,
braved the summer heat to walk the Abraham Path; visit places like Bethlehem,
Taybeh, Kufr Malek, Jericho, Wadi Auja & Wadi Qelt, Jerusalem, Hebron, and
the Negev desert; volunteer at community development projects at both the
Tent of Nations and Har Amasa villageand, naturally, indulge in a dip in the
Dead Sea.
For now my physical journey on the path may be over, but the experiences
and emotions from it will impact me and my own personal path from now on.
And I WILL return to walk on the Abraham Path again.

Matthew Fisher, Leeds Metropolitan University
24
The Path Ahead in 2014
In 2014, we will extend and connect 345 kilometers/215 miles of new trail.
These new sections will be thoroughly researched and developed with
cartography and guidebook content online.
New Sections of the Abraham Path to Open in 2014
Mt. Nemrut to Yuvacali
Kisas to Harran
Ajloun to Jericho
Pella to Jenin
Jenin to Nablus
Arad to Mamshit
In 2014, we will add 35 new communities to the Abraham Path and continue
to expand, empower and equip our growing network of local partners, hosts,
and guides.
Trainings and Technical Assistance to local partners in 2014
Wilderness First Aid
GPS and Cartography
Tourism and Hospitality
Marketing, Networking, and Fundraising
Connect Kilometers
Connect Communities
25
Abraham Path as developed since 2008
with scouted walking trail, community
hospitality, and local guides
Future routes of the path
Places of hospitality, Abrahamic memory and
heritage along the path
New regions and routes in development
MEDITERRANEAN
SEA
AL AYOUN
RASHAYDA
TEQUA
LAKIYA
MEITAR ARAD
MASADA
HAR AMASA
NEVE
ZOHAR
MT. SODOM, MAMSHIT
& CRATERS REGION
BENI NAIM
MAR SABA
NEBI MUSA
KAFR MALEK
AUJA
DUMA
ARABA
SEBASTIA
MT. NEBO
AWARTA
HEBRON
BETHLEHEM
JERICHO
JENIN
BEIT SHEAN
NABLUS
AJLOUN
PELLA
HARRAN
URFA
URFA
MT. NEMRUT
HARRAN
BAZDA
HAN EL BARUR
SUAYB CITY
SOGMATAR
KISAS
GOBEKLI TEPE
BEYAZIT
GOLLI
YUVACALI
MAMSHIT
UR
NAJAF
APAMEA
MAR MUSA
MAALULA
SEIDNAYYA
MARDIN
DIYARBAKIR
ANTEP
ALEPPO
DAMASCUS
WADI RUM
PETRA
KARAK
MECCA
MEMPHIS
LEGEND
NEW REGION
JERASH
JERUSALEM
MADABA
MT. NEBO
PELLA
BEIT SHEAN
JERICHO
JERUSALEM
BEERSHEBA
HEBRON
BETHLEHEM
NABLUS
JENIN
BEERSHEBA
ARAD
YUVACALI
AJLOUN
Growing the Path with
our Partners in 2014
The Abraham Path will be able to grow at an unprecedented rate in the years
ahead with generous support from individual donors, foundations, and our
institutional partners like USAID, the World Bank, and AFD.
There have been few ideas around
as good as the Abraham Path!

-John Whitehead
27
Join the Abraham Path
Initiative in 2014
Contribute to the Path Ahead
Connect
The Abraham Path Initiative is a US-registered 501c3 non-prot organization
and all of your donations are tax deductible.
To donate online visit: donate.abrahampath.org
Donations by bank check can be made to the Abraham Path
Initiative and mailed to:
Abraham Path Initiative
1563 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
USA
Please contact us at donate@abrahampath.org if youd like to donate by bank
transfer or stock transfer, or if youd like to discuss other ways to donate.

UK Donations: The UK Friends of Abrahams Path is a registered charity in
the United Kingdom and your donations there are tax deductible. Please see
donate.abrahampath.org for more information.
Abraham Path Initiative
1563 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138
www.abrahampath.org | info@abrahampath.org
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